Being noticed

At some point you will stand out because of the work of the Spirit in you and in your life.  "We see plainly that the Lord has been with you" - Can this be said about you?

 

While those on the outside will often struggle to identify exactly what it is that is different, they will recognise a certain success about your life.  They will want what you have, even if they don't want the God who has given it.  As you progress with God, He will bless you and make His glory visible in you.

 

As you are noticed, you should be ready to honour God by speaking of the greatest blessing with which He has blessed His people.  Jesus' sacrifice for all who will come and partake of it.

 

While a good Christian life is important and glorying to God, the ultimate glory is the cross that our life should point towards.  As people notice you, help them notice the cross also.

 

The unexpected

When difficult situations arise, personal injury, monetary crisis, natural disasters, or tragic deaths, how well do you deal with it?

 

If you haven't accepted God's power and His willingness to throw you into testing situations, then you will likely be stunned by surprise too long to make good use of the situation.  If you can master yourself and your own reactions, you will be able to make wiser decisions.  Panic is lethal.

 

That doesn't mean that the emotion of the situation won't affect you, but when you are aware that all events come from God you can compose yourself faster, knowing that He is in control and His purposes are proceeding.

 

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, 
   but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand - Proverbs 19:21

God is our refuge and strength, 
   a very present help in trouble. 
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, 
   though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea - Psalm 46:1-2

Faith

It's both amazingly simple but incredibly hard to have.  God says, and you believe His words.  There's nothing else.

 

It can be as simple and as automatic as reading and believing His promise not to break a bruised reed (a tender conscience pricked and convicted He will not cast down).  Or His promise not to cast out any who come to Him.

 

But it can be as hard as believing that you are really in His grace, that you really do want Him, that you really are one who is called.

 

If it is hard for you, try to keep it simple.  Do you want to be saved?  Do you see your hopeless state of sinfulness? Do you see Christ as the only way?  What else is there?  Desire to come, and trust God to enable you to come.  Then come and don't look back!

 

Obeying God

Abraham obeyed God when he went to sacrifice his only son after God requested it.  Would we make a big gesture like this, to prove our devotion?

 

I don't think this is an ordinary situation, so I would doubt your sanity if you were to try to replicate this event today.  Big gestures are easy anyway.  Or easier.  

 

Giving your life to save someone else is fast and simple, even if it is a huge thing.  How much harder to obey God over the course of an entire life though?  How hard it is to obey when He says to love your neighbour, or not to covet!

 

Easier to give your life in a moment (when heaven awaits) than to struggle with obedience for 50+ years of a Christian life.

 

Priorities

God, spouse, children, family, Christian friends, everyone else.

 

Priorities are determined by who you should listen too first.  If you get contradictory instructions/requests, listen to God first and then down the line.  Your Christian friends can't trump your family obligations but if your family is not Christian they might have to lose out to God's commands.

 

When do you make yourself a priority?  When you are able to fullfil less and less of the top priorities.  If you see yourself losing ability to serve, cut off one step completely and trust that God will take care of the gap you leave.  

 

Even if you have to leave your children to your wife, taking time out alone with God, this will be time well spent.

 

The personality excuse

It's just the way I am!  I can't help who God made me to be!

 

You are not called to excuse your behaviour.   If it is immoral, then change!  Nobody who is born again remains the same.  You can count on it.

 

Some personality traits are neither good nor bad.  Some cultural traits are neither good nor bad.  Some are clearly against God though.

 

First sort out the obvious one or two things that you carried over from your un-born-again life.  The rest will come in time as God's Spirit works on your heart.

 

Death

I've seen a lot of death this year, in real life as well as through media.  

 

This continues to challenge my faith.  Not so much in my biblically informed position, but in my ability to communicate that position to non-believers.

 

Are you able to speak to someone who has recently lost a loved one?  What about a loved one who is most likely in hell... for eternity...?

 

Here are three things of many that occur to me:

1. You can't live if you're not prepared to die (or for loved ones to die), at least on some rational level - emotions will always surprise you...


2. If your "philosophy" (I prefer theology) of death isn't robust it is unable to provide hope.


3. God is ultimately in control of every death and His absolutely just judgement, along with mercy through Christ, is the foundation for any real hope of eternal life.